LA JOLLA – A popular Asian-fusion restaurant has returned to La Jolla to the same spot it inhabited previously after a ten-year absence.
Both a culinary and architectural masterpiece, Roppongi Restaurant & Lounge officially reopened in La Jolla on Dec. 4, after years of requests from longtime guests, at the corner of Prospect Street and Fay Avenue.
Roppongi is owned by restaurateur Sami Ladeki, who first began building restaurants in 1989 with the opening of Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza in La Jolla.
Having first opened its doors in 1998, Roppongi has resumed operations with the same chef and signature menu that made it a local favorite. The upscale eatery also sports a refreshed space and expanded beverage program.
Today, Roppongi reemerges with a fresh vision that is both a credit to its legacy and a bold new chapter.
“Roppongi is more than a restaurant,” said Ladeki. “It is a celebration of living well, where cuisine, design, and hospitality meet to create moments that linger long after the meal ends.”
Roppongi’s new menu reflects Ladeki’s legacy of culinary innovation, offering all its favorites, proving Ladeki’s menus are not only ahead of their time but also can stand the test of time. The menu boasts a variety of sushi artistry, wok-fired creations, and shareable plates prepared with seasonal ingredients.
Craft cocktails, Asian spirits, and an impressive wine and sake list round out the dining experience.
The new Roppongi’s design is a collaboration between Ladeki and interior designer Stephanie Parisi.
Guests are greeted by a sweeping gold-brushed curved wall that introduces the sculptural language carried throughout: bending walls, bronzed screens, and arched ceilings that transform the restaurant into a work of art. At the restaurant’s center, a leather quartzite bar anchors the room while handcrafted oval tables and custom furniture pieces extend the theme of chic, nature-rooted artistry.
The fireplace, preserved from the original Roppongi, now serves as a focal point, framed by Buddha replicas set into niches that ground the space in stillness and continuity. Accented by luminous ceiling sculptures from Milan-based artist Mirei Monticello and works by local and international artists, Roppongi is as much about art and atmosphere as it is about exceptional food and hospitality.
Patrons new and old will be delighted with the reactivated Roppongi’s blend of nostalgia and excitement, and for the restaurant’s taking an old-time favorite and updating and bringing it into the present.
The Happy Hour that made this eatery famous is also back, with 50% off tapas and drink specials daily on the patio from 2-5 p.m., with dinner served from 5-10 p.m.
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